The Campaign Trail

In the weeks leading up to the Nov. 6 general election, the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times will feature in this column press releases and statements sent by the campaigns of the candidates on the ballot.

The statements in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Times Newsweekly/Ridgewood Times or its staff. Mud-slinging statements which include personal attacks on candidates are omitted.

State Sen. 15th Dist. Tenants’ Activists Endorse Addabbo

The Tenants Political Action Campaign (Tenants PAC), the only organization in New York State devoted to advancing the tenant cause through election activity, announced their endorsement of Democratic State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo for his third term representing the State Sen- ate’s 15th District in front of several rent-controlled buildings in Ridgewood on Monday, Oct. 1.

“We are proud to help elect strong tenant advocate, Joe Addabbo, as we did in 2008 and in 2010,” said Michael Mckee, treasurer of the Tenants Political Action Campaign. “The Republicans in the New York State Senate have severely weakened our rent protection laws in the last two decades and once again the real estate industry is targeting Senator Addabbo for defeat by financing his latest challenger.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have the Tenants PAC endorsement, as they have supported me through my past two Senate elections, and now my third,” said Addabbo. “Affordable housing options are increasingly important in this economy and working men and women should be able to afford qualify, safe housing for themselves and their families.”

During his past two terms, Senator Addabbo has sponsored legislation that exempts social security payments from being counted as income for seniors participating in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program (SCRIE).

To help revitalize the home building industry and make new homes affordable, Addabbo has sponsored legislation that provides a personal income tax credit for three years to those purchasing a newly-constructed home costing less than $1 million.

Firefighters’Union Backing Ulrich

City Council Member Eric Ulrich, the Republican candidate for the 15th State Senate District seat, received on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the endorsement of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) during a press conference in front of Engine Co. 319 in Middle Village.

“Eric will be a powerful voice in Albany on behalf of the men and women of the FDNY,” said UFA President Stephen Cassidy. “His record of fighting for the middle class and working to make sure our firefighters have the resources to keep New York City safe is exactly what we need in the senate. We’re proud to endorse him and all of our members will be working hard to make sure he is elected on Nov. 6.”

“I have enormous respect for the men and women of the FDNY and I’m honored to receive their endorsement,” said Ulrich. “The people of New York City are fortunate to have such brave public servants keeping our neighborhoods safe. Unfortunately, the high cost of living and Albany’s bad policies have put added strain on the middle class. One of my top priorities in the senate will be to make Queens more affordable to live and raise a family for our firefighters and all New Yorkers.”

The UFA is the largest firefighter’s local union in the world representing over 8,000 New York City Firefighters. Councilman Ulrich has also been endorsed by the Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association.

NY- 6 Congress Race Mayor Bloomberg

Supporting Meng

Assemblywoman Grace Meng, the Democratic candidate for the new Sixth Congressional District seat, received the endorsement of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Bloomberg has been active on the national stage, particularly on the issues of reviving the economy, pushing immigration reform, advocating for stricter gun laws and pursuing solutions to the issues that many in Congress do not want to tackle.

“New Yorkers demand representation in Washington that puts the needs of the taxpayers ahead of partisan politics. Grace Meng will be the independent voice in Congress that middle-class families in Queens deserve. Whether it’s her outspoken support for sensible gun legislation to help make our streets safer or her advocacy for common sense immigration reform, Grace embodies the values that Queens’ residents care about most. Grace Meng can be counted on to deliver for the constituents of the Sixth Congressional District, just as she has as a bridgebuilder in Albany,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

“I am proud and honored to have the support of Mayor Bloomberg, whose leadership has helped make New York City and the nation stronger,” Meng stated. “Like the mayor, I have made the tough, but necessary choices to deliver for my constituents as an Assembly member— a habit I plan to continue as a member of Congress. Partisan bickering isn’t creating jobs, making our streets safer, or ensuring the preservation and long-term solvency of critical entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. Now more than ever, middle-class families in Queens need consensus-builders to deliver on the issues that matter most to them.”

For more information on voting or to obtain a voting registration application, contact the New York City Board of Elections at 1-212-VOTENYC or visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.

Press representatives of candidates may send their information to this paper by fax to 1-718-456-0120 or e-mail to info@times newsweekly.com. All releases are subject to editing.